No, this article is not about a professional football team in Baltimore, but rather about this encouraging word Jesus gave His Disciples in Luke 12:24: “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” This verse caught my attention this morning as I read it because just yesterday evening on our way to church we saw a large group of crows looking for a spot to roost. You can call it natural instinct if you want, but I choose to believe that God has made these birds very intelligent. Some years ago I was baffled why our dog’s water bowl was always colored during the day when I knew I filled it with fresh water every night. Then one morning I looked out the window and I noticed some crows pick up some of the dog food nuggets and soak them in the water in the dog bowl, then eat them when they were soft enough. That also answered my question about often finding dog food nuggets in the bottom of the above-ground pool we used to have.

Did you know that, depending on the weather where they live, crows migrate when they have to? Have you wondered why they roost in enormous groups mostly in the fall and winter, and mainly in urban areas? For one, it is generally 5-10 degrees warmer in the city than in the country and in the city’s power line areas there is more light at night enabling the crows to better watch out for their main predators, owls of every kind. There are many other interesting facts to know about these amazing birds but the main thing Jesus wanted to teach His Disciples when he referred to them was that God cared and provided for them. He quickly added that they were much more precious to God than the birds of the air. Therefore, if He watched over and cared for them, they could expect even better care and provision from their Heavenly Father.

Dear child of God, we all need to be reminded from time to time not to worry more than we have to about the trials of life. Because we are His children, we should know that He loves us, knows what we need, and that He will always be there to help, care, and provide for us. So put your complete trust in Him today. Everything is going to be alright ! And because it says it better than I ever could, I’ll end with these lines from one favorite Christian hymn of old: [ “Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, / Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, / When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: / His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ ]

Memory verse for the week: (Matthew 25:21 NIV) His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness’!